Questions About Infinite Jest

by David Foster Wallace

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Infinite Jest, please sign up.

Answered Questions (57)

So am I made to believe that there are actually people who read this book and somehow hated Michael Pemulis?

Jack Waters I named my car after the Peemster.

flag

Has anyone read this on a Kindle Paperwhite? I'd like to know how easy the footnote navigation would be with this particular touchscreen Kindle.

Steven Asin Infinite Jest is the perfect book for the Kindle Paperwhite. Beyond the ease with which one can look-up footnotes, consider the following: (a) It is a…moreInfinite Jest is the perfect book for the Kindle Paperwhite. Beyond the ease with which one can look-up footnotes, consider the following: (a) It is a weighty text that is difficult to carry around, as well as just hold and read, in its printed forms. (b) Wallace indulges in lacing his text with words that are outside the vocabulary of most educated readers. While I appreciate that devotees of IJ have lugged unabridged dictionaries along with the IJ volume itself, it is not something I could have managed. Moreover, words I never new existed pop up with sufficient frequency that looking them up in a separate volume would be both disruptive to the books narrative flow and significantly increase the amount of time needed to read this book. The Kindle allows you to just press on the unknown word to get a definition. (c) IJ is a long book with multiple plot lines, and if you have a limited time to devote to reading it on a daily basis you can loose track of narrative details and characters. The Kindle "X-ray" feature allows you to click on a character's name and get a brief summary to refresh your recollection of the character or plot development. I would have found it impossible to read IJ, despite how appealing I find it, without the advantages offered by reading it on the Kindle.(less)

flag

Hello, I've gotten till page 350 and am really struggling to continue. By now I haven't opened it in a month. I find the stories and characters interesting but am really missing a story/plotline and I can't seem to make heads or tails of this novel. Any tips?

j It's like AA, keep coming back. At one point, it will all come together for you, even if you're not sure how.…moreIt's like AA, keep coming back. At one point, it will all come together for you, even if you're not sure how.(less)

flag

What the fuck is wrong with everyone who likes this book?